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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX260 HS

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Key Specs

Canon A3100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
  • 165g - 97 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released January 2010
Canon SX260 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 231g - 106 x 61 x 33mm
  • Announced June 2012
  • Older Model is Canon SX240 HS
  • Successor is Canon SX270 HS
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX260 HS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are designed by Canon. The resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the SX260 HS (12MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A3100 IS was released 3 years prior to the SX260 HS and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief view of how the A3100 IS matches up versus the SX260 HS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Canon SX260 HS

 A3100 IS SX260 HS 

Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Canon A3100 IS

 SX260 HS A3100 IS 
AnnouncedJune 2012January 2010Fresher by 29 months
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX260 HS

 A3100 IS SX260 HS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon A3100 IS has physical dimensions of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Canon SX260 HS has proportions of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs).

See the Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX260 HS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the A3100 IS versus the SX260 HS.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX260 HS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the A3100 IS and SX260 HS is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX260 HS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by checking out specs. The graphic here will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A3100 IS and SX260 HS.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of photos though you should really factor the production date of the cameras into account. The older A3100 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX260 HS sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography factors
Canon SX260 HS Portrait photography factors
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
37
you can focus manually
comes with face detect autofocus
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Street photography camera
Canon SX260 HS as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (231 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography highlights
Canon SX260 HS Sports photography highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
36
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (230 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography details
Canon SX260 HS Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
61
lighter than competition (231g)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (230 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A3100 IS
Landscape photography with Canon SX260 HS
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
41
you can focus manually
quite wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A3100 IS
Vlogging with Canon SX260 HS
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of mic jack
34
quite wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (231g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic support
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Canon A3100 IS vs Canon SX260 HS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Canon SX260 HS
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISCanon PowerShot SX260 HS
General Information
Company Canon Canon
Model type Canon PowerShot A3100 IS Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-01-05 2012-06-04
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Digic 5
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.7-5.6 f/3.5-6.8
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - PureColor II TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 15 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/3200 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 165g (0.36 lbs) 231g (0.51 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 230 shots
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-8L NB-6L
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $159 $349